Wicomico Co. woman killed in house fire Saturday morning

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Maryland State Fire Marshals are urging Marylanders to check their smoke alarms and have an escape plan after investigating two fatal fires in within 12 hours of each other. 

In Wicomico County, Hebron Volunteer Fire Department and nearby departments were called for a reported dwelling fire at 26357 Quantico Creek Road just after 9 a.m. Saturday. When crews arrived, they learned a woman was still inside. Firefighters later located the unconscious homeowner on the second floor. She was treated by EMS and taken to TidalHealth in Salisbury, where she died from her injuries just before 3 p.m.

The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Amy Appleby-Harris.

Deputy State Fire Marshals say further investigation revealed that the fire originated in the second-floor master bedroom and was a result of smoking. Investigators confirmed the home did have working smoke detectors at the time of the fire, but the owners reportedly had pre-existing medical conditions that prevented them from being able to escape. 

This is the second fatal fire within 12 hours in Maryland. We’re told a man died in a shed fire in St. Mary’s County late Friday night. 

So far this year, the Office of the State Fire Marshal has recorded two confirmed fatal fires, with another four pending results of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.